Albany a Treat for Big Crowds and Larger Field of Competitors with Launch of 2014 Southeast Regional Series

From four high school graduations to 100 Block Street Art Experience and two days of bicycle races, Albany, Georgia was buzzing this past weekend. More than 450 cyclists from around the southeast competed in 11 categorized races over two days for the Southeast Regional Series presented by Stan’s NoTubes (SRS). It was the series’ second year in Albany and the 10th year that the city has hosted bicycle races.

The series is the only elite and amateur road series of events that offers point competitions spanning multiple states in one region. As a USA Cycling Regional Road Championship Series, SRS attracts elite level riders and teams throughout the Southeast and showcases the most classic terrain in the region. Saturday’s Begin, Believe and Become Albany Criterium offered a flat and fast downtown course. Sunday’s Road Race featured rolling terrain of neighboring Leesburg, Ga.

Albany Womens Race Finish

“It’s always a pleasure to be in Albany,” said Series Director Marilyn Cullinane, who also owns Start Smart Cycling in Greenville, S.C. “We had a great turnout. Our registration was up 20% and we couldn’t be happier. It was great to see both amateur and elite alike racing together and we look forward to our next stop in Huntsville, Ala. in June.”

For the pro women, Stephanie Cucaz (Lawrenceville, Ga.) of PCP Racing won the Hincapie Overall Leaders jersey after the opening races. Amy Bradley (Australia) of Garneau Factory Team powered by Fuji was recognized with the PEZ Cycling News Sprint jersey and Arden Stelly (Anderson, S.C.) of Pain Pathways received the Stan’s NoTubes Queen of the Mountain jersey.

These special award jerseys will continue to be awarded throughout the series for best sprinters, climbers and overall winners (male and female). At the end of the series, overall points leaders in Men Pro 1/2, Women’s Pro 1/2/3, Cat 3, Master’s 35+ 1/2/3, Master’s 50+ will also receive a custom Schmitt Jewelers watch ($750 dollar value) at the SRS championships in Greenville, S.C.

Rashelle Beasley, executive director of the Albany Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, said the city looked forward to hosting the race. “It’s one of our top five events each year. Although we are awaiting the final numbers we are estimating over $150,000 in economic impact this year.”

The Southeast Regional Series presented by Stan’s NoTubes expects to award over $50,000 in cash and prizes this year, across five weekends of racing. The next stop for the series will be June 14-15 in Huntsville, Ala. Each series stop offers a unique Saturday downtown criterium paired with a Sunday road race.

About Start Smart Cycling
Start Smart Cycling, LLC (SSC) is a professional event management and consultation company for the cycling industry. SSC provides planning expertise and on-site event implementation for cycling competitions and related activities across the U.S. In 2010 SSC was founded by President Marilyn Cullinane, who has over 14 years of experience in the cycling industry. Her company has been involved for four years with successful Florida-based events such as the Miami Dolphins Cycling Challenge (ridedcc.com) and The Orange Blossom Special. Cullinane founded the Southeast Regional Series in 2013, the first-ever regional road cycling championship series in the U.S., sanctioned by USA Cycling.